Method for developing a multiple-pole stand

ABSTRACT

Telescoping columns, particularly a method for developing a plurality of telescoping forms as a rigid stand for a roadside sign, high tension wires or the like, by anchoring a plurality of forms to a rigid base and pumping the forms simultaneously with fluid concrete, so as to vertically telescope the forms above the rigid base.

United States Patent Bill Archer;

John L. Low, 111, both 01 Meridian, Miss. 835,816

June 23, 1969 July 27, 1971 Arlo,1nc.

Jackson, Miss.

Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 676,286, Oct. 18, 1967, now Patent No. 3,471,980.

lnventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee METHOD FOR DEVELOPING A MULTIPLE-POLE STAND 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 52/741, 52/38,52/115,52/632 Int. Cl ..E04h 12/34, E04g 25/04 Field of Search 52/632,

[56) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 883,569 3/1908 Rodgers 249/51 975,135 11/1910 249/51X 2,322,855 6/1943 61/51 2,914,922 12/1959 52/115 X 3,102,365 9/1963 52/38 X 3,356,330 12/1967 52/632 X 3,469,358 9/1969 Archer et a1." 52/115 3,471,980 10/1969 Archer et al 52/115 I FOREIGN PATENTS 212,189 5/1966 Sweden 61/51 Primary ExaminerFrank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-Sam D. Burke, I11 Attorney-David H. Semmes ABSTRACT: Telescoping columns, particularly a method for developing a plurality of telescoping forms as a rigid stand for a roadside sign, high tension wires or the like, by anchoring a plurality of forms to a rigid base and pumping the forms simultaneously with fluid concrete, so as to vertically telescope the forms above the rigid base.

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ATTORNEYS METHOD FOR DEVELOPING A MULTIPLE-POLE STAND CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS tally joined at their tops and simultaneously pumped. Pumping of the individual forms may be varied as a sighting to level indicates that the joining of the tops has fallen out of a horizontal plane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention Concrete, particularly pumping of concrete into telescoping forms to develop rigid, longitudinal extending columns. Conventionally, utility poles and roadside sign stands consist of a plurality of interlocking sections welded to each other at great expense. There is an increasing popularity of use of such poles for signs supported at heights of 85100 feet adjacent superhighways. The pole sections are conventionally welded to each other while horizontally disposed on the ground. After welding, the poles are vertically set in place by a crane or the like. As the poles are set vertically, the roadside sign may be lifted to the top where it is bolted onto the poles. Great vertical and horizontal alignment of the poles occur, since each pole is independently set. As a result, the levelling of the sign upon the misaligned poles can be time consuming and difficult.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior art inventors have used metallic vertically aligned forms for the pouring and setting of concrete as posts or columns. These forms have been bolted to a rigid base and locked with respect to each other. Kelsey (U.S. Pat. No. 975,135) is fairly typical of post or pole forms, consisting of cylindrical metal sections bolted one to another prior to pouring of concrete through the top. Rodgers (U.S. Pat. No. 883,569) provided a metallic unitary pole for casting of fence posts. Rodgers filled the pole from the upper end and removed the form after the concrete had set. Joelson (Sweden Pat. No. 212,189) relates to telescoping sections which are filled with concrete beneath a house foundation However, .loelson's sections are not interlocking and Joelson does not lock his base section in any manner or telescope his sections above a base. Lateral stability in Joelson is provided by the earth surrounding Joelsons sections 2 and 3. .Ioelsons base section 1 apparently rises vertically after sections 3 and 2 are essentially gravity filled with concrete.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION includes continuously levelling, while joining the section tops by measuring the plane of joining and, accordingly, varying pumping of concrete into respective forms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a roadside sign, positioned and supported according to the present method;

FIG. 2 illustrates a water tower positioned and supported according to the present method;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical section, showing the interlocking of telescoping sections in a single form;

v FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view, taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the three column tops joined by a horizontal support beam;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged and exploded fragmentary perspective, showing thejoining of a column top to the support beam; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the rotatable ball socket connection between the telescoping form top section and a water tank; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support beam.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. I there is illustrated a roadside sign 18, supported upon multiple columns 10, 12, and 14 joined at their tops by horizontal support beam or crossmember I6.

The individual columns are comprised of individual, interlocking telescoping sections 22, 24, 26 and 28. The bottom section 22 may include a concrete pumping gate 50 and is locked into a base section 20 which extends downwardly into the ground. Top section 28 includes a pair of vertically up standing ears 30 and 32 which, as illustrated in FIG. 6, may be connected to beam 16 lugs 34 and 36 by a pin 35.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the interlocking sections may be stabilized by a plurality of radially extending splines or skirtlike elements 40, 44, and 46 connected to the bottom skirt 70 of the smaller diameter section. The skirtlike elements abut the top flange 72 of the bottom larger diameter section, as the telescoping sections are extended. In the peripheral interstices 42 intermediate the splines fluid concrete is pumped and set, thus stabilizing the telescoping sections in vertical alignment.

In FIG. 2 the method is practiced wherein individual columns, 74, 76, 78, 80, and 82 include plural telescoping sections 5264. The larger diameter section having concrete gate 54 is locked into rigid base 48 which extends into the ground. The top section 64 may have a concave seat 94 engaging ball 92 welded to tank 68, so as to accommodate rotatably the curvature of the water tank during pumping. The water tank balls 90 welded as at 92 may be seated in identical concave seats 94 at the top of the outer forms 74, 76, 78, and 80. The intermediate form 82 having a cylindrical top section 84 may be extended vertically by pumping of concrete into the outer forms. After the concrete has set in the outer forms, form 82 may serve as the vertical water conduit, gate 50 regulating the flow of water.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the level of the support beam 16 may be measured visually and pumping of the individual columns may be varied, as the sighting discloses misalignment of the support beam. Alternately, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a pair of micro or mercury switches 74 and 76 may be attached to channel 16 secured to column tops 70 and 72. As the switches detect a variation in level, signals are transmitted through wires 78 and 80 connected to the concrete pump to effect variations in pumping of the forms. Manifestly, the tops of the individual poles will be level when the telescoping sections have been fully extended. In the instances where three or more poles are desired as a support for a stand, the exterior poles may be pumped with concrete and longitudinally distended while the intermediate pole 12 is telescoped without pumping. For example, in FIG. 1 as the concrete is distended in the exterior poles l0 and 14, the intermediate pole 12 may be pumped with concrete.

I claim:

1. Method for developing a multiple pole stand comprising:

A. anchoring to a rigid base at least two telescoping forms of the type including a stationary bottom member encompassing a plurality of longitudinally aligned, interlocking telescoping sections;

B. pivotally joining the tops of said forms with a cross- 2. Method for developing a multiple-pole stand as in claim member; 1, wherein said measuring is done by visual sighting.

C. simultaneously pumping fluid concrete into said bottom 3. Method for developing a multiple-pole stand as in claim members and into said form 50 as to v rti all t d 1, wherein said measuring is done by a mercury switch governsaid telescoping sections above said bottom members; 5 g i p p g in sp tiv rm D. maintaining fluid pressure within said forms, so as to Method for developing a multiple'pole stand as in Claim i i i Sections upon the setting f the concrete with 1, wherein there are at least three forms horizontally joined at their tops by a horizontal member and an intermediate form,

including delaying pumping of fluid concrete into said intermediate form, until the telescoping of said -'outer forms by pumping of fluid concrete has extended said forms vertically.

respect to said base; and

E. measuring the level of the tops of said forms and varying pumping of said concrete into respective forms, so as to maintain said crossmember in a desired plane interconnecting said form tops. 

1. Method for developing a multiple pole stand comprising: A. anchoring to a rigid base at least two telescoping forms of the type including a stationary bottom member encompassing a plurality of longitudinally aligned, interlocking telescoping sections; B. pivotally joining the tops of said forms with a crossmember; C. simultaneously pumping fluid concrete into said bottom members and into said forms, so as to vertically extend said telescoping sections above said bottom members; D. maintaining fluid pressure within said forms, so as to rigidize said sections upon the setting of the concrete with respect to said base; and E. measuring the level of the tops of said forms and varying pumping of said concrete into respective forms, so as to maintain said crossmember in a desired plane interconnecting said form tops.
 2. Method for developing a multiple-pole stand as in claim 1, wherein said measuring is done by visual sighting.
 3. Method for developing a multiple-pole stand as in claim 1, wherein said measuring is done by a mercury switch governing said pumping into respective forms.
 4. Method for developing a multiple-pole stand as in claim 1, wherein there are at least three forms horizontally joined at their tops by a horizontal member and an intermediate form, including delaying pumping of fluid concrete into said intermediate form, until the telescoping of said outer forms by pumping of fluid concrete has extended said forms vertically. 